Disturbed beyond the telling . . .

[Evil Alpaca]

Okay, other people may have heard of this story before, but I just saw it for the first time tonight. I sometimes wish I had a religious bone in my body so that I could be comfortable knowing that there was a hell for the Phelps family to go to.

DODGE CITY, Kansas (CNN) -- This past Saturday morning I found myself in a five-car caravan cutting across the Kansas plains with about 30 religious protesters. In the back of a truck, there were signs that read "Thank God for IED's" and "Thank God for Dead Soldiers."

I was with the Phelps family. They've launched a disturbing campaign to tarnish the funerals of fallen soldiers.

This is a painful drama playing out at dozens of military funerals across the country. The group is led by Fred Phelps.

He and his family have picketed and heckled military families at more than 100 funerals since June. They say the soldiers are fighting for an army that represents a country that accepts homosexuality.

I have spent a great deal of time in the last few weeks tracking the movements of Fred Phelps and his family. Saturday, I followed him and his family from their home in Topeka, Kansas, to a funeral in Dodge City, Kansas.

Fred Phelps is the pastor of Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka. The congregation is made up mostly of his family. Phelps has 13 children, 54 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.

He describes himself as an "old-time" gospel preacher who says, "You can't preach the Bible without preaching the hatred of God."

Phelps and his family have made a name for themselves by showing up at high-profile events preaching their hate-filled brand of Christianity. They blame homosexuals for the destruction of America.

This past weekend's target was Army Sgt. Jessie Davila.

Davila was killed February 20 in Iraq by a suicide bomber. He served as a Marine after graduating from high school. He returned to civilian life, and had a daughter. But he was always a soldier at heart, so two years ago he joined the Army National Guard and was three months into an Iraqi deployment when he was killed.

This is also very much a story about another phenomenon the Phelps protest has created. That's the birth of a group called the "Patriot Guard Riders." They're a volunteer group that came together after hearing that so many military families were being blindsided by the protesters.

More than 400 motorcycles thundered toward this showdown in Dodge City this weekend to make sure Sgt. Jessie Davila's funeral was not overshadowed by the Phelps protest. They converged from small towns all over southwest Kansas to support Sgt. Davila's family. One group leader says, "I knew we would have a crowd, but I didn't know it would be this big."

The procession of rolling thunder escorted Davila's family from memorial services to the grave site on a quiet hill.

In the end, Sgt. Davila's family says they were only able to hear a little bit of the Phelps protest. Davila's mother, Linda Claus, says she's grateful for the Patriot Guard Riders. But she also wants other military families to be aware that this could happen to them.

"When people begin to know what they're (Fred Phelps' family) really doing -- killing the American Dream -- they won't be around very long, because nobody's going to let them. They'll drown them out. They'll be gone," Claus said.

Since CNN started airing reports on these funeral confrontations a few weeks ago, the Patriot Guard Riders say its membership has almost tripled. And more than a dozen states are now considering legislation that would restrict protesting at funerals.

The Phelps family vows to continue these protests. They might be outnumbered, but the way the Patriot Guard Riders see it, it only takes one of them to dishonor the memory of a fallen soldier.

 

[zeb1094]

It's real sad that they would do that and if they showed up at my realatives furneral the shotgun would be retrieved from the trunk and I would show them what's it was like for our fallen breathern.

Kneecaps tend to blow apart when hit with buckshot!

 

[matriarch]

There's a group of biker veterans that, on invitation from the family, travels across the country to block those bastards from view, standing in front of them with American flags.

ETA - I hadn't read the whole article when I posted and just saw about Phelps. I just saw that the article mentions the above bikers. Pay no attention to the goose behind the curtain

Edit again - Minsue posting under Mat's ID by mistake, BTW. Batting a thousand tonight.

 

[Guest]

He makes the Baby Jesus Cry

I've read about the Phelps before and their particular version of funeral duty. I do not condone violence (unless everyone says ok) but this excretable animated protoplasm makes me seriously reconsider my stand on the issue. It's hard to face such hatred and cruelty with any tolerance, no matter how firmly committed one is to the ideas of freedom and equality.

I suppose the only real damage I can do to him is to live as an example of how wrong he is. His kind have been around since before St. Augustine and will, no doubt, continue to exist as long as there are people who have such a terror of living and being wrong. He is a man with no faith, no matter how he protests it, because true faith does not require a majority opinion or the defamation of anyone else. True faith exists in silence and without any concern over what others think or say. It just is.

He'll never have it.

I still wish hemorrhoids on him. Big ones, with tentacles and gnashy teeth..

 

[1337_G1RL]

It's usually those who protest the most that are trying to convince themselves. Does Phelps have no shame? Ok if he wants to protest against homosexuality, but ruining somebody's funeral goes well beyond any sense of common decency. Also does he not realise that he is making Christians look bad. If it wasn't for his religious standing, his anti-homosexual rants would probably not have had any clout to begin with. Anyone using God as an excuse for acts of hate has automatically missed the point of whatever religion they follow (since legitimate religions don't preach hate).

1337

 

[3113]

Um...I'm confused. How does this man reconcile homosexuality with soldiers dying in Iraq (or anywhere else in the world)?

I could understand if gays were allowed in the military and he was protesting at the funerals of gay soldiers--I'd still despise what he was doing...but it would at least make some sense. This just seems like nonsense.

And if he's trying to stop soldiers from fighting because, somehow, that means fighting for homsexuality...how does protesting at funerals do that? Wouldn't it be better to protest at recuitment offices?

 

[1337_G1RL]

Well you see, Fred Phelps is a crazy nutcase. There is no way you'd get anything resembling common sense out of him.

1337

 

[zeb1094]

Just saw an interview on CNN they did with him at the furneral.

Dumbass thinks everyone who doesn't believe what he believes is a pervert. Maybe we should all get together and counter demonstrate and we'll each hand out copies of our best stories to the Phelps crowd.

 

[Guest]

There is no rhyme or reason to Fred Phelps and the extended family.

We've seen his picket signs outside of the Wedding Chapel at KU (he was there early to protest a funeral so he also ruined a wedding).

We've seen his picket signs outside of Sesame Street Live at the Expo Center (distracted our children so they wouldn't notice as we drove by).

When a local church wouldn't allow a Boy Scout troop to meet there (after the ruling barring homosexual members) his group protested outside that church for weeks.

What I loved was when the musical CATS was in town. The CATS cast members were delighted with the Phelps family, and posed in costume near their signs for a multitude of pictures (I had no camera that evening, damn it). The Phelps family was not too happy about matters that evening.

BUT - the Phelps believe they are right.

AND - they believe everyone else is wrong. Period.

You can't argue rationally with irrationality.

But oh, how I love the sudden attention on this group. They are far too small a group to last under this close scrutiny by the entire country (or world).

 

[Boota]

They had threatened to come here to Kokomo, IN today to protest at the funeral of Sgt. Rick Jones. Our state government passed a law that states that disorderly conduct within 500 feet of a funeral is a felony. They said they were scared of being arrested, so they didn't show up. Knowing my town the way I do they should be more concerned with being killed if they show up here.

 

[SeaCat]

Mister Phelps has gained international recognition for his brand of hate. He would fit right in with the Inquisition, but even they might have been taken aback by his hatred of anything and anyone who doesn't believe the way he does.

He does serve a greater good though. He shows that the interpretation of the Gospel can be perverted for personal gain. Because of this he should not only be allowed to live but elevated so that everyone can see him and how his views are a perversion. Then they can stand as a warning to the many who prefer to believe without thought. "This is what you may become."

After his name has become known in every household across America as well as the world, the let him preach his hatred and perversion at the funeral of a hero, and let the honor guard have live rounds, as well as aim low for the 21 gun salute.

Hmmmmmmmm, I wonder if G.W. Endorses him?

Cat

 

[Halo_n_horns]

I think the idea of giving them works from this site is a great idea. Here's their contact page should anyone have the gumption for it:

http://www.godhatesfags.com/main/contact.html

 

[lucky-E-leven]

From their website:

Your Military is filled
with fags and dykes. Clinton and Bush did it with executive
orders. Don't ask don't tell is a farce. They turned
America over to fags; they're coming home in body bags.

The curse of God is upon America.

"Then my anger shall be kindled against them in that day, and I will
forsake them, and I will hide my face from them, and they shall be
devoured, and many evils and troubles shall befall them; so that they
d l sayin that day, Are not these evils come upon us, because our God
is not among us?" Deut. 31:17.

This reeks of a Pat Robertson hurricane explanation.

 

[Boxlicker101]

I've read about the Phelps before and their particular version of funeral duty. I do not condone violence (unless everyone says ok) but this excretable animated protoplasm makes me seriously reconsider my stand on the issue. It's hard to face such hatred and cruelty with any tolerance, no matter how firmly committed one is to the ideas of freedom and equality.

I suppose the only real damage I can do to him is to live as an example of how wrong he is. His kind have been around since before St. Augustine and will, no doubt, continue to exist as long as there are people who have such a terror of living and being wrong. He is a man with no faith, no matter how he protests it, because true faith does not require a majority opinion or the defamation of anyone else. True faith exists in silence and without any concern over what others think or say. It just is.

He'll never have it.

I still wish hemorrhoids on him. Big ones, with tentacles and gnashy teeth..

Freedom of speech is not really an absolute. Besides things like libel laws and things like yelling "FIRE" in a crowded theater, there is something called "Fighting Words". Basically, what this means is that if somebody says something to or about another that is so vile and loathsome, the other doesn't have to stand for it. Violence would be excusable.

If these cretins were at some beloved person's funeral and spewing their hate, and attendees at the funeral turned on them and stomped them into the ground, probably nobody would be even charged. If they were, they wouldn't be convicted. Hopefully, that will happen some day soon.

I think I will email them one of my dirtiest stories.

 

[lucky-E-leven]

*gag* WTF?

Monument dedicated to Matthew Shepard's Entry Into Hell, which WBC intends to erect in Casper City Park as a solemn Memorial that God Hates Fags & Fag-Enablers


http://www.godhatesfags.com/images/shepard_monument.jpg

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Perpetual Gospel Memorial to Diane Whipple

Diane Whipple, a filthy dyke, died in her sins on Jan. 26, 2001, as a result of being mauled by two dogs. God used literal dogs to kill a figurative dog - sodomites being likened unto dogs for beast-filthiness (Deut. 23:17, Mat. 7:6, Phil. 3:2, 2 Pet. 2:7,8,12,22; Rev. 22:15). Fags & dykes = dogs & sows. She lived like a beast, died like a beast, at the hands of beasts, and is mourned by a family of beasts! The wrath and fury that smote Diane Whipple - suddenly and violently ripping her throat out and casting her forthwith into the everlasting flames of Hell - is poised to similarly visit this evil sodomite-dominated nation in final overwhelming vengeance. Jer. 9:9. Sharon Smith (the dead dyke's lover) and Penny Whipple-Kelly (the dead dyke's guilty, dyke-pimp, mother-from-Hell) need a reality check. Diane is in Hell, and you will join her there - where you three will bitterly curse each other forever, as you gnaw your tongues in pain and blaspheme God. Flames of God's wrath will engulf you and fill your heads, bowels, and limbs. The same is happening to Diane now.

Diane Whipple In Hell
http://www.godhatesfags.com/images/whippleinhell.gif

Diane Whipple has been in hell for 1866 days.

Eternity - 1866 days = Eternity

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I thought the protesting at the funerals was as bad as it could get.
Turns out, I was wrong.

 

[English Lady]

I've read about the Phelps before and their particular version of funeral duty. I do not condone violence (unless everyone says ok) but this excretable animated protoplasm makes me seriously reconsider my stand on the issue. It's hard to face such hatred and cruelty with any tolerance, no matter how firmly committed one is to the ideas of freedom and equality.

I suppose the only real damage I can do to him is to live as an example of how wrong he is. His kind have been around since before St. Augustine and will, no doubt, continue to exist as long as there are people who have such a terror of living and being wrong. He is a man with no faith, no matter how he protests it, because true faith does not require a majority opinion or the defamation of anyone else. True faith exists in silence and without any concern over what others think or say. It just is.
He'll never have it.

I still wish hemorrhoids on him. Big ones, with tentacles and gnashy teeth..

Well said. EA -I believe in hell, and this guy is definitely heading there. Jesus Christ himself told us to forget the whole "eye for an eye" thing and to forgive, forgive, forgive and to love others as we love ourselves.

I just hope people do not confuse this guy with Christians. He's a complete and utter Charlatan (or however it may be spelt) not to mention totally barmy.

 

[Guest]

Freedom of speech is not really an absolute. Besides things like libel laws and things like yelling "FIRE" in a crowded theater, there is something called "Fighting Words". Basically, what this means is that if somebody says something to or about another that is so vile and loathsome, the other doesn't have to stand for it. Violence would be excusable.

If these cretins were at some beloved person's funeral and spewing their hate, and attendees at the funeral turned on them and stomped them into the ground, probably nobody would be even charged. If they were, they wouldn't be convicted. Hopefully, that will happen some day soon.

I think I will email them one of my dirtiest stories.

Box, this has happened to them before. Many times.

I remember in Lawrence once a gal in a pickup truck drove through the center of them, scattering the bastards.

But there are children there, too. Always. Yes, it's a form of child abuse, for those warped individuals to bring up children in this hate-filled way, but you can't just mow down the group because children will be hurt.

And I believe that's why they put their children out there carrying those signs. Not just to promote the message but to protect their bizarre message from people who want to shut them down.

And don't underestimate them. They are brilliant lawyers - generations of them - in one family. Fred Phelps, Sr. is also a lawyer (disbarred) but these folks KNOW the law and they know exactly what they can get away with.

 

[rgraham666]

And don't underestimate them. They are brilliant lawyers - generations of them - in one family. Fred Phelps, Sr. is also a lawyer (disbarred) but these folks KNOW the law and they know exactly what they can get away with.

Bullies always do.

And this is what they are, bullies. They know their beliefs can't stand up to rigorous ethical or theological testing, so they hide behind the law.

Almost makes me wish I was a believer. I'd sooo kvell over the image of their faces when they pass on and find out what their reward is. And Who they actually serve.

 

[AppleBiter]

And don't underestimate them. They are brilliant lawyers - generations of them - in one family. Fred Phelps, Sr. is also a lawyer (disbarred) but these folks KNOW the law and they know exactly what they can get away with.

Yeah, and that's why they try to egg people on to assault them. You can imagine how hard it is for people to resist. That's how they fund their little trips. The best and only way to fight them is with peaceful resistance. They aren't even worthy of our contempt.

 

[cheerful_deviant]

In reality, Phelps and his band of wackos are really no different than any other group of extremist sickos that pop up form time to time spewing their own perverted, hate filled take on God's will. But unlike many other groups, they have managed to find an effective way of gathering publicity for themselves. And publicity is what they really want. Just like a child or the 'White Power' asshole we've seen here many times, as long as you react to him, positively or negatively, he's happy because he got attention.

But there are children there, too. Always. Yes, it's a form of child abuse, for those warped individuals to bring up children in this hate-filled way, but you can't just mow down the group because children will be hurt.

And I believe that's why they put their children out there carrying those signs. Not just to promote the message but to protect their bizarre message from people who want to shut them down.

They are the ones I really feel sorry for. Can you imagine what a strange enviroment of fear and hate that those children are being raised in? I wonder if any member of the family has escaped the madness or if they all have been brainwashed by that sicko?

If there really is a Hell, Phelps and his followers are surely on their way there.

 

[AppleBiter]

Just like a child or the 'White Power' asshole we've seen here many times, as long as you react to him, positively or negatively, he's happy because he got attention.

I see your point, deviant, but sometimes, not reacting would be the worst thing a person could do. The Patriot Guard does not show up unless requested by the family, who does not want to suffer the added pain of having to see/hear the disgusting things that this group shouts and waves around on red, white, and blue signs. Where the negativity of reacting to him comes in is when the media gets involved and covers Phelps waaaaay too much. CNN did an excellent job of representing our side. The local news, however, covered the story for all of a minute and spent most of that minute talking to Phelps.

Anyway, my point is that it's the media who shouldn't react with such fervor because it only fuels Phelps' fire. But, if the Patriot Guard is called to act by the family to protect the memory of their fallen soldier and to let him/her be buried in as much peace as is possible, I don't see that as a negative thing in any way, shape, or form. As the article stated: "the way the Patriot Guard Riders see it, it only takes one of them to dishonor the memory of a soldier."

 

[ABSTRUSE]

Hey! Proof that scum doesn't just grow on ponds!!!

 

[cheerful_deviant]

Hey! Proof that scum doesn't just grow on ponds!!!

No, unfortunatly there is no lack of scum in the world today.

 

[ABSTRUSE]

No, unfortunatly there is no lack of scum in the workd today.

They aren't even a higher class of scum.

 

[cheerful_deviant]

I see your point, deviant, but sometimes, not reacting would be the worst thing a person could do. The Patriot Guard does not show up unless requested by the family, who does not want to suffer the added pain of having to see/hear the disgusting things that this group shouts and waves around on red, white, and blue signs. Where the negativity of reacting to him comes in is when the media gets involved and covers Phelps waaaaay too much. CNN did an excellent job of representing our side. The local news, however, covered the story for all of a minute and spent most of that minute talking to Phelps.

Anyway, my point is that it's the media who shouldn't react with such fervor because it only fuels Phelps' fire. But, if the Patriot Guard is called to act by the family to protect the memory of their fallen soldier and to let him/her be buried in as much peace as is possible, I don't see that as a negative thing in any way, shape, or form. As the article stated: "the way the Patriot Guard Riders see it, it only takes one of them to dishonor the memory of a soldier."

Yes, unfortunatly some problems are not of the "Just ignore it and it will go away." varity. This is probablly one of those. And I agree that sometimes society as a whole has to stand up to these hatemongers and say 'go crawl back under your rock'. I think that waht the Patriot Guard is doing is a great thing and a nobel service to fallen soldiers and their families.

Unfortunatly, wackos and crazymen are interesting and nothing makes people want to tune in at 6:00 like a little outrage. Death, destruction, hate, outrage, and tragedy all sell papers and airtime. As long as we keep tuning in, they'll keep covering.